I know of a vintage Super Scanner cb antenna in nice shape with the control box. Our local radio expert says it has to be 36 ft in the air or it won't work. Is that true? I remember seeing these back in the 70's but most were mast mounted on chimneys. The price is $50 anyone know anything about these and is it worth the price?

Height isn't -that- critical no matter what you're told. There are certain aspects/characteristics of particular antennas that are 'better' at higher points than at lower points. But almost any antenna will 'work' at almost any height. That specific 36 feet thingy is a myth. It would work even better at 72 feet, or 108 feet!
Best height is the highest one you can do -practically- in your particular situation.
- 'Doc

Hello S 1741: Yeah what Doc said, I have watched radios while we cranked the antennas up over the 80 foot level, it just gets better with heigth.There is no majic certain heigth.

The Scanner Antenna at 50 bucks is worth playing with, the coaxes may have to be changed so look them over real well. Inside the antenna control box are relays, they might need a little contack cleaner.

The gret thing about this antenna is that it is electronically controlled and its a snap to see were everybody comin from.

OK thanks for setting the record straight on the height issue. This will be roof tripod mounted on a 10 ft mast. He said that wouldn't work with this antenna. A 36 ft tower can get pricey. I am not sure how much of an "expert" he is vs what he thinks he is.

There is some magic to certain heights and at a half wavelength or multiple half wavelengths above ground the angle of radiation will be closer to textbook free space, especially at multiple half wavelengths above ground.

When vertical antennas are say 1/4 wavelength above ground the pattern gets pushed upward and you will notice a degradation on ground wave comms at a distance. For DX you also want a very low angle and a ground plane can still overshoot the ideal low angle for that if too close to the ground or at heights that are not optimum for low angle radiation.

So for CB freqs 36ft is a full wavelength, which is two half wavelengths, which is a great height for low angle radiation. It may not be the very best height but its a real good start.
prcguy

I had a Super Scanner Antenna (Antenna Specialist model MS-119) back in the 80's & 90's. However, when I returned from college, to my horror, I found that my parents had it dismantled (read destroyed) when they did a remodel of the house. I had it 40 feet and was by far the best antenna I had used. I had previously used Sigma 5/8, AstroPlane (which was great for skip) and a Mako 1/4 wave. I used it both on 11 and 10m with no significant change in SWR

$50 for a complete super scanner is a HELLUVA deal, provided the antenna is complete, with control box and the switching relay box. Fully restored units on eBay typically go for about $275-350.00 and the rare NOS can fetch as high as $450.00 Non-restored antennas can be found for about $125-175.00 I have been watching the market and am now interesting in reuniting my 2000gtl with a superscanner

I also seemed to remember -also to my horror- there being a website that showed how to cannibalize 11m super scanner to work at 2m.

I will echo the previous poster in saying that if you don't buy it, I will!

Who can tell me haw a super scanner antenna works & will it out perform a Icon 2000 with a ground plane kit?

The Super Scanner is like having two antennas an omni directional and a directional beam.

Your Icon 2000 is an omni-directional antenna, meaning it ideally radiates equally in all directions. The super scanner antenna uses relays which can make the antenna radiate in an omni pattern, or act directional, where by using relays turns the dipole elements into a driven element and a reflector, giving you the choice of 3 120 degree patterns to concentrate transmission and reception. This configuration boasts a 8.75dbd gain, with an impressive 5.75dbd in omni mode.

The published gain specs for the Super Scanner like most CB antennas is complete BS. They work ok but will not work any better than a good 1/2 or 5/8 vertical on omni or a two element beam in directional mode.
prcguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrotumola

The Super Scanner is like having two antennas an omni directional and a directional beam.

Your Icon 2000 is an omni-directional antenna, meaning it ideally radiates equally in all directions. The super scanner antenna uses relays which can make the antenna radiate in an omni pattern, or act directional, where by using relays turns the dipole elements into a driven element and a reflector, giving you the choice of 3 120 degree patterns to concentrate transmission and reception. This configuration boasts a 8.75dbd gain, with an impressive 5.75dbd in omni mode.

I know of a vintage Super Scanner cb antenna in nice shape with the control box. Our local radio expert says it has to be 36 ft in the air or it won't work. Is that true? I remember seeing these back in the 70's but most were mast mounted on chimneys. The price is $50 anyone know anything about these and is it worth the price?

That antenna is nothing short of three trick stix with a switch box that switched each element one at a time using the other's as a block. if you can adj each element to 88 inches you'll have a very good vhf beam.

K3CFC

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I have one i have just re-done.Took the matching coil out and made the matching balun used in the early models.I have it up 15 feet and talk every where,I would replace the relays (Cheap)
The rejection is great. and you dont have to wait for some rotor to turn things.
One of the best antennas ever conceived...
Let me know if you need any parts.I got dist for all internals.

Something to keep in mind is that there may be three 'elements' on that antenna, but when it's used in the 'directional' mode, it's only a two element beam. So, a three element yagi type beam should give a bit more gain than the SuperScanner. That's absolutely normal.
- 'Doc

I know of a vintage Super Scanner cb antenna in nice shape with the control box. Our local radio expert says it has to be 36 ft in the air or it won't work. Is that true? I remember seeing these back in the 70's but most were mast mounted on chimneys. The price is $50 anyone know anything about these and is it worth the price?

i don't know much on antenna design but this antenna is nothing but a 2 element or possible dipole.
you switch the signal around from one element to the next. how would this be efficient? the director has to be shorter than the driven element and reflector has to be longer that the driven element how would this antenna be a 3 element directional beam just by switching elements?? mmmm!!

i don't know much on antenna design but this antenna is nothing but a 2 element or possible dipole.
you switch the signal around from one element to the next. how would this be efficient? the director has to be shorter than the driven element and reflector has to be longer that the driven element how would this antenna be a 3 element directional beam just by switching elements?? mmmm!!

I would ask the manufacture about this. i know they were very popular in the day. mine works very well.

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I would ask the manufacture about this. i know they were very popular in the day. mine works very well.

don't know how long ago you talking about but if you say early 80s late 70s you could load up a wet noodle and talk to europe or pacific. but in reality my big stick from shakespear work most of the world were cb radio was allowed. my point is that any antenna you could put up would be a fantastic antenna back in those days.

I have one i have just re-done.Took the matching coil out and made the matching balun used in the early models.I have it up 15 feet and talk every where,I would replace the relays (Cheap)
The rejection is great. and you dont have to wait for some rotor to turn things.
One of the best antennas ever conceived...
Let me know if you need any parts.I got dist for all internals.

hi i need to know how long the booms are end to end without the element on the end just the boom piece and also what kind of relay can i use ,....i am going to use it on 10 meter as well so i need a relay that will let me put at least 100 watts through it ,.....thank you in advance i am building one of these from scrap i already have the control box thanks again